Houston's — Restaurant in North Miami Beach

PETITION TO GET SYDNEY THE GM OUT OF THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS! I swear most of these reviews are complaints about management. She clearly doesn’t know the proper use of calling 911. Worst experience Of my entire life. Not even exaggerating. Originally came in for an interview decided to stay to try something on the menu and get a drink. Went to the bathroom and as I’m using the bathroom, I’m talking to my friend and explaining how excited I felt to get the job because it seemed like it went well, but I was confused at the interviewers last sentence, which was “if we do not call, it means we went with someone else”. The general manager, Sydney, was eavesdropping on my conversation and invading my privacy, waiting for me to get out of the stall to confront me and ask me what I was possibly confused about. I explained how i didn’t mean negative or malicious at all. I was just confused because usually that means that you’re not getting the job even though I felt the interview went really great and I was hopeful and excited to get the position. She didn’t even acknowledge what I said, and walked out and made out the rudest scoffing noise. It felt as though I was in high school all over again, getting bullied by some snobby girl. That’s when I got upset and I ask her what’s wrong with her or if she’s okay Because she seemed very upset. She responded with some backhanded response about how they work in the interview process and honestly After that, I decided to just finish paying and leave. As I’m walking out the restaurant, a nice man sees how stressed I am and asked me if If he could buy me a drink and I agreed. Time passes I am only on my second drink And it’s been about two hours that I’ve been there already. I’m having a very nice conversation with this man and I’m having a great conversation with the bartender as I am a bartender myself. Everything is going great. And then the general manager comes behind me with another woman that And tells me that I have to stop buying drinks from the bar and cannot be there anymore. Very confused I asked what the problem is and they do not explain. I grabbed my stuff and I walk out and they follow me outside threatening me to call the police if I didn’t get an Uber. I’m telling them I do not need an Uber. I can perfectly Drive my car and leave because this was terrible service. They are following me to my car. And at this point I am in tears. I ended up leaving and nothing escalated other than that, but I did not deserve to get treated like that. I was not belligerent. I wasn’t bothering anyone. I wasn’t being too loud and usually if someone needs to get cut off since I’ve worked in the restaurant business you asked them if they want water or if they want food and never did they ask me that, At the very least, if they suspected truly that I was too drunk. They didn’t even ask me how many drinks I had. I literally had two drinks in the span of two hours. I was doing just fine. I was actually about to order some food before they came up to me. It was the most bizarre experience, and I truly believe that this place has employed women with mean girl energy. There’s tons of complaints about this management at this location and something Needs to get done . I’m not one for saying that someone should lose their job and their source of income but maybe some people shouldn’t work in the hospitality business because they are super unprofessional here. They definitely need an attitude adjustment or a completely new staff Of management. Houston’s deserves a better reputation than what these people...

For over three decades, I have been a regular patron at Houston’s of North Miami Beach. And for over three decades, I have NEVER had a complaint. I went to Houston’s on December 14, 2024, I ordered my first round of drinks, a margarita and a mojito; the margarita in a tall glass. Then I asked for my second round of drinks, again the same thing. But to my surprise, my waitress, Camille, said the manager said we could not have it in a tall glass. Even though we already had it in a tall glass. So, we sent the second round of drinks back. I asked for the manager and instead I got the assistant manager, Maui. He barely explained anything, he jumbled incoherently over everything he said. We called another assistant manager over, Jules. She explained that it was their “signature drink” and that they cannot place it in a tall glass. But, putting the drink in a tall glass is NOT putting more liquor in the cocktail, it is putting more JUICE in the cocktail. And if the cocktail in a tall glass was more, we would’ve happily paid the extra cost. Our evening was ruined! Finally, the manager, Caroline, after sending her entire brigade over, came to the table. She explained the same thing as (2nd assistant manager) but at that point we were done. We wanted to hear very little of what she wanted to say. I told her that it does not make sense that I have been a customer at Houston’s since before she even started working there. That I have seen workers come and go from Houston’s. I explained I have always gotten a margarita in a tall glass and all of a sudden, it is a no. She explained that she could bring another glass of the juice, but if she can do that, why can’t they just put it in a tall glass? And I prefer it in a tall glass. Shouldn’t the customer get what they like? I have always been a loyal customer of Houston’s; I used to go almost every weekend. I used to tell people about how great the restaurant was; I used to take visiting guests to Houston’s. But not anymore, I will NEVER be recommending Houston’s to anyone. And I want to thank you for denying me the margarita in a tall glass; that helps me. The margarita is about $20. So, when I go, usually in a group of three, I can save $120. And you cannot lose $60, because your whole purpose is to make money. And though we did not take our frustration out on Camille, someone else easily could have not tipped or tipped significantly less. Houston’s (Hillstone Restaurant Group) needs to think about its’ employees too. But I will rarely attend Houston’s from now on, since this is the treatment a loyal...

I am writing to express my deep disappointment following a recent visit to your North Miami location. My wife and I have been loyal customers for over a decade and have always enjoyed the exceptional food and service that Houston’s is known for—until this unfortunate experience.

I had a reservation and, upon arrival, requested to be seated by the window. The hostess acknowledged my request and said it would not be a problem. However, when we were escorted to our table, we were not seated by the window. I politely reminded the host of our request, and he abruptly replied, “No.” I explained that we had been told we could sit by the window, but he refused to listen.

To make matters worse, there was an available table by the window just 10 feet away, and another couple—just two people—were already seated at a similar window table. When I pointed this out, he had no explanation and became visibly irritated. His dismissive and unprofessional demeanor was deeply upsetting. When I asked to speak to a manager, his curt response was, “I am the manager. What do you want to talk about?” I was shocked by this tone and attitude, which is wholly unacceptable for someone in a leadership role. Thankfully, a nearby server witnessed the interaction and kindly offered to seat us at a window table. I also asked her for the contact information for Houston’s corporate office. Shortly afterward, a woman introduced herself as the general manager. She was apologetic and acknowledged that the situation had been handled poorly. She said she would “make things right,” which I appreciated at the time.

However, there was no follow-up during or after our meal. We received no clarification on what “making things right” meant—no gesture of goodwill such as a complimentary appetizer, dessert, or discount. While the general manager’s initial response was reassuring, the lack of follow-through left us feeling undervalued and ignored.

This experience has left a lasting negative impression. What should have been a pleasant evening turned into a frustrating and disappointing ordeal. The unprofessional behavior of the initial staff member and the lack of follow-up from management are not what we expect from a restaurant of Houston’s caliber.

I previously submitted a message through your website requesting a call from a corporate representative, but I have yet to receive a response, at this point the lack of attention seems to stem throughout the organization. I won’t be back to Houston’s...